VERNON, NY- With some of Utica-Rome Speedway’s biggest Gates-Cole Insurance Modified stars off to Cornwall Motor Speedway for the Super DIRTcar Series event, track owner Bill Shea is trying something a little different for the Modified division for the upcoming Sunday June 26 event. 

For this Sunday, the weight for the 358-Modifieds will be lowered to 2,400 lbs. as long as they are not a dry sump small block.  All 358-Modifieds with a dry sump will continue to have to weigh the same as a big block powered car, which is 2,500 lbs.  “With the open draw/redraw format for this Sunday, this would be a perfect opportunity to try this,” stated Shea, “and we will have two weeks (with the Super DIRTcar Series at the speedway on July 3) to digest it and make a decision for the future.  With no handicapping and the draw format, this is also the perfect chance for someone to give us a try” 

The weekly purse will still be used, which is $2,000 to win, and show up points will be awarded to drivers who attempt to qualify for this Sunday’s Gates-Cole Insurance Modified event at Utica-Rome Speedway or the Super DIRTcar Series event at Cornwall.  Sunday’s race at Utica-Rome Speedway will also count towards the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series rankings and all Modified competitors will be required to be licensed.  Temporary licenses will be available and are good for 15 days after purchase. 

Gates-Cole Insurance and Wilber-Duck Chevrolet will present the action this Sunday, June 26, which will feature the $1,500 to win Martin Memorial for the GRIT 602 Sportsman plus the Gates-Cole Insurance Modifieds, Broedel Energy Open Sportsman, and G&I Homes of Vernon Pro Stocks.  Gates open at 3:30 p.m. with racing at 6 p.m.  For more information, log on to www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the speedway office at (315)829-4557.